Flash light



July 10, 1928.

- E. R. BARANY FLASHLIGHT FiledwDeo. 24, 192.5

INVENTQR 5. M. fla -7 ATTORNEYS i o I Patented July 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES g 4 1,676,849 PATENT: orricr...

EDMUND a. BARANY, OF-BROOKLYN, new YORK, nssrenon 'ro amnion BATTERY ooM- PANY, oriunnrson, Wisconsin, n CORPORATION OFWISCONSIN.

' FLASH mew.

Application filed December ture by means of which the circuit through the flashlight lamp and battery may be opened and closed.

The invention and the advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through-a flashlight embodying the invention, the circuit closing. member being shown in open-circuit position.

--Figure 2 a fragment-a1 sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, andshowing the circuit closing memher in ClOSGCl-ClICUlt position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the support or yoke of the switch structure.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating. member ofthe, switch.

Referring tothe drawings, the flashlight casing 5, carrying at one end a screwthreaded cap 6 and at the other ,end a lens ring 7, is adapted for the reception of the usual battery herein shownas comprising a pairof cells 8, the carbon electrode orbat.

tery terminal 9 of one being urged into intimate engagement with the zinc electrode 10 of the other by means of the usual thrust spring 11 carried by the. screw-threaded cap 6.

light lamp 12 comprises a switch member. or

conduct-or plate 13, secured to an operating member 14: by means of rivets or the like 15,

the switch member 13 being provided with a pair of resilient contacts or contact fingers 16 and 17. The contact finger 16 is 1naintained in engagement with the carbon electrode 9 of the adjacent cell 8, and the other contact finger 17 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the lamp terminal 18. The lamp 12 is carried by a lamp socket 20 preferably formed integral with a reflector 21. the outer margin of-which is provided with a flange 22 adapted to seat upon an inturned ledge 23 formed at the forward end of the casing 5. The reflector 21 is retained properly located within the easing 5 by reasonof the fact that the flash- 24, 1925. Serial No. 77,487;

light lens 24 seats upon the flange 22 and is held thereon by means of the lens ring 7.

The operating member 14 is of insulating material and is connected, by means of a shouldered pin 25, to the depending legs 26 of ayoke or support 27 provided with an opening 28 at the edge of which formed a notch 28 so that-the metal surrounding the opening 28 may be so distorted as to form a spiral flange 295 the pitch ofwhic'h is equal to the pitch of the screw-threads of the lamp socket 20 thus making it possible to detachably connect the support 27 to the reflector 21. The pin passes through an'elongated opening 30 formed in the operating member 14 so that the operating member may be slidingly moved on the pin 25 at right an gles to the axis thereof and also rotated about the axis of the pin as a center. The operating member 1 1 is maintained properly positioned intermediate the legs 26 of the support 27 by reason of the fact that the shouldered end of the pin 25 serves to space the operating member 14: a proper distance from the adjacentleg 26 of the support, and a tabular spacer 31 of insulating material carried on the smaller end of the pin 25 serves to maintain the operating member 14- a given distance from the opposite leg 26 of the support.

Access to the operating member 1 1 is had by reason of the fact that an elongatedslot or opening 32 is formed in the casing 5 through which projects a thumb-piece 33, carried by and preferably formed integral with the operating member 1 1. This thumbpiece 33, when the operating member 1a is maintained in open-circuit position, as shown in Figure 1 is positioned adjacent to; an inturned lug 3 1 formed integral with the casing 5, the function of which lug is to require .a sliding movement of the operating member 14: upon the pin 25 at right angles to the axis thereof,- before the operating member can be moved to closed-circuit position, as shown in Figure 3.

A spring 35 carriedby the support 27, and this spring at its free end is curved, as shown at 36. The curved end 36 of this spring is adapted to cooperate with a lug 37," formed on the forward end oft-he operating member 14. to retain the operating member in either its open or its closedcircuit position. The support 27 also carries an extension 38, and this extension and the spring approach the inner wall of the casing 5.

The switch-unit maybe introduced through the front end of the casing and the extremity of the lever 14'may be caused to protrude through the slot 32. This may be done, if desired, before the lamp-socket of the reflector is screwed into the opening 28 of the combination switch-support and cell-stop, or bumper-yoke 27.

Not only do the feet 39 function to assist in centralizing the unit, as above described, but they also serve as abutments, limiting longitudinalmovement of the batteries within the casing 5 under the influence of the thrust spring 11, and serving to prevent the transmittal of any detrimental shock tothe lamp 12 and other comparatively delicate parts ofthe flashlight when introducing the cells 8 into the casing, as will be readily understood. The feet or abutments 39 also prevent excessive jars and other detrimental impacts from being transmitted to the lamp 12 and other delicate parts of the flashlight, when the flashlight is dropped or otherwise roughly handled.

In operation, when the operating member 14 is moved to closed-circuit position, as shown in Figure 3, the circuit is closed from the carbon electrode 9 of the upper cell 8, through contact finger 16, conductor plate 13, contact linger 17, lamp terminal 18, filament 38, lamp base 39, lamp socket 20, reflector 21, casing 5, cap 6, thrust spring 11, lower cell 8, to the upper cell 8 and the carbon electrode 9 thereof' In closing this circuit, the operating mem-' ber 14 is first slidingly moved upon the pin 25 at right angles to the axis thereof,.and is subsequently swung about the pin 25 as a pivot, thereby moving the contact finger 17 into engagement with the lamp terminal 18.

Sliding movement of the operating member 14 is resisted by the spring 35, and as the curved end 36 of the spring rides over the lug or extension 37, the spring coacts with the inclined face 40 of the lug 37 and facilitates pivotal movement of the operating member 14 to closed-circuit position. After the operating member 14 has been moved to closed-circuit position, the spring 35 continues to coact with the inclined face 40 and thereby tends to retain the operating member in closed-circuit position.

hen opening the circuit through the lamp 12, the operating member 14 is first moved about the pin 25 as an axis. The spring 35, after the first part of such movement, rides over the lug 37 on to the inclined face 41 of this lug, thereby facilitating further pivotal movement of the operating member 4 and bringing the thumbpiece 33 into alignment with the elongated opening 32, whereupon, when pressure is released from the thumb-piece 33 by the operator, the spring 35 slidingly moves the operating member 14 upon the pin 25 at right angles to the axis thereof and projects the thumbpiece33 through the elongated opening 32 to its position adjacent the lug 34.

It will be appreciated from the above that the operating member 14, although requiring movement in two directions to close the circuit, is not likely to be accidentally subjected to such movements, although the movements necessary to close the circuit are perfectly naturalonce in the hands of a person desiring to use the flashlight. The movements which the circuit closing member 14 necessarily undergoes to open the circuit, are also readily effected by the operator, since all the operator need do is to swing the operating member 14 about the pin 25 and the spring 35 will thereafter complete the movement, as above explained. In spite of the fact that the circuit through the lamp 12 may be readily opened, as above explained, it is extremely unlikely that the circuit will be accidentally opened, as for example when the flashlight is laid down carelessly, since the greater portion of the thumb piece 33 is housed within and shielded by the casing 5 against accidental movement when the operating member 14 is in closedcircuit position, as shown in Figure 3.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a flashlight having a lamp terminal and a battery terminal, a reflector, a support carried by said reflector, and a switch member pivotally and slidably connected to said support and requiring movement in two general directions to effect electrical connect-ion of one of said terminals with the other of said terminals'through said switch member.

2. In a flashlight having a lamp terminal and a battery terminal, a support, a switch member comprising a pair of contacts one of which electrically engages one of said terminals and the other of which isadapted to be moved into engagement with the other of said terminals, and means pivotally and slidably connecting said switch member to said support whereby movement in two general directions is required of said switch member in connecting said terminals through said contacts.

3. In a flashlight having a. lamp terminal and a battery terminal, a reflector, a support carried by said reflector, a switch member comprising a pair of contacts one of which engages one of said terminals and the other of which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other of said terminals, and means pivotally and slidably connecting s sald. switch member to said support whereby movement in two general directions is required of said switch member in connecting said terminals through said contacts.

4. In aflashlight having a lamp provided with a terminal and a battery providedwith a terminal, a reflector having a lamp socket adaptedfforthe reception of said lamp, a support detachably connected to said socket,

; and a switch member pivotally and slidably connected to said support. and requiring movement in two general directions to eliect electrical connection of one of said terminals with the other of said terminals through said switch member. a

5. In a flashlight having a lamp provided with a terminal and abattery provided with a terminal, a reflector having a lamp socket adapted for the reception. of said lamp, a

. support detachably connected to said socket,

a switch member pivotally and slidably connected to said support and requiring movementin two general directions to etfect electrical connection of one of said terminals with the: other of said terminals through said switch member, and yieldable means for resisting oneof said movements.

,6. In a. flashlight having a lamp provided with a terminal and a battery provided with a terminal, a reflectorhaving a lamp socket adapted for the reception of said lamp, a support detachably connected to said socket, a switch member pivotally and slidablyiconnected to' said support and requiring movement in two general directions to effect electrical c'onnection o f one of said terminals with the other of said terminals through said switch membefr, and yieldable means for resisting one Of saidHnoVements and tending to retain said switch member in c'losed circuit and open-circuitpositions re;

spectively.

., 'Tfln a flashlighthaving a lamp provided with a terminal and a battery provided with a terminal, a reflectorhaving a lamp socketadapted for the reception of said lamp, a support detachabl'y connected to said socket, a switchmember pivotally and slidably connected to said support and requiring lJ]O"- ment in two general directions to efiect electrical connection of one of said terminals with theothei' of said terminals through said switch member, and a spring carried by said support and cooperating with said switch member to retain the switch member in open-circuit and closed-circuit positions respectively, Y

8. In aflashlight having a lamp terminal and a battery terminal, a reflector havinga screw-threadedlamp socket, a support detachably connected to said socket, a switch member, an operating member carryingsaid switch member, and means pivotally and to said support.

slidablv connecting said operating member,

9. In a flashlight having' alamp terminal" vided with a terminal and a' batterypro vided with a terminal, a' reflector having a lamp socketadapted forthe reception of said lamp, a yoke :detachablyconnected to said socket and arranged intermediate said lamp and said battery, said yoke being adapted to engage said battery. and function as an'abutment to limit longitudinal'movcment of said, battery with 1 respect to said flashlight, a. switch member, an'operating member carrying said switchmember and arranged intermediate the legs of said yoke,

and meansvpivotally and slidablyaconnecu mg SflJCl operatingmember to said yoke.

11; In a flashlight having a lamp terminal.

and a battery terminal, a support, a switch member comprisinga, pair of contacts one of ,which electrically engages one of said terminals and the other of which; is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other of said terminals, means pivotally and slida-bly connecting said switchmember to said support whereby movement in two general directions is required of said switch member inconnecting said terminals through said contacts, and yieldable means for resisting one of said movementsaf Y 12.,Ina flashlight havinga lamp terminal and abattery terminal,:a support, aswitc'h member comprising a pair of contacts one of 'which electrically engages one, ofsaid:

terminals and the other of which is adapted to be moved into engagen'ient wlth the, other of said terminals, means pivotally and 'slid ably COHllGCtlllgSillCl swltch member tO SZllCl' support whereby movement in two general directions is required of said switch member in connecting said terminals through said contacts, and yieldable means for resisting one of said movements and tending toretain said switch member in closed-circuit and open-circuit positions respectivelys member comprising a pair of contacts one of which. electrically engages-one of said terminals and the other of which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the other of said terminals, means pivotally and slid-v ably connectingsaid switch member to said support whereby movementjin two general.

directions isrequired of said. switch, member in connecting said terminals through IOU 13. In a flashlight having a lamp terminal 2 and a battery terminal, a support, a switch vided with a terminal, a yoke arranged in termediatesaid lamp and said battery and adapted to engage said battery and function as an abutment to limit movement of said battery Withrespeet to said lamp, a switch member adapted to cooperate with said terminals in closing a cireuit through said battery and lamp, an operating member carry- ,ing said switch member and arranged inter mediate the legs of said yoke, and means pivotally and slidably connecting sa1dop erating member to said yoke. t

15. A flashlight comprising a casing provided near its front end with a slot; a drycell in said casing; a. reflectorremovably mounted in the front end of said casing in axial alignment with said dry-cell; a lamp in said reflector; and a switch-unit interposed between said lamp and cell comprising a support equipped with a transverse plvot, a switch-lever mounted on said pivot between said lamp and cell and swinging in the plane of the axis'ofthe casing and having a thumb-piece disposed in said slot, and means operable by said switch-lever for opening and closing the circuit between the lamp terminal and cellterminal.

16. A flashlight comprising a casing pro vided near its front end with a slot; a drycell in said casing; a switch-unit in said casing disposed in front of said dry-cell, said switch-unit comprising a support and a switch-lever mounted on said support to swing in the plane of the axis of said casing and equipped with means for completing and breaking the circuit between the .cellterminal and lamp-terminaland said switchunit being insertable through the open end ofsaid casing and having its lever provided with a thumb-piece disposed at said slot; a reflector removably mountedv in t-hegfront end of said casing; and a lamp within said reflector having a terminal extending therethrough.

17. A flashlight comprising a casing provided near its front end with a slot; a drycell in said casing; a reflector removably mounted in the front end of said casing; a switch-unit interposed between said reflector and'dry-cell, said switch-unit comprising a support bearing on the end of the body of the dry-cell and serving as a spacing member between the reflector and dry-cell andaswitch-lever pivotally mounted on said supportand equipped with means for completing and breaking thecircuit between the cell-terminal andlamp-terminal, said switchlever having a thumb-piece projecting front end of the casingand disposed between said reflector and dry-cell, said switch-unit comprising a supporting member, a switchlever mounted thereon and swinging in a plane parallel with the axisiof said. casing, and means actuated'by said switch lever for completing and breakingthe circuit between the lamp-terminal and cell-terminal, said switch-lever being provided with a thumbpiece located in said slot.

19. A flashlight comprising a casing provided near its front end with a slot; a drycell in said. casing; a'reflector and lens removably connected with the front end of said casing; a lamp mounted in and having a terminal disposed behind the reflector; and a switch-unit insertable through the fro-'ntend of the casing and disposed between said reflector and dry-cell, said switch-m it comprising a support equipped with a spring, a SKX'ltClPlQVQ-l pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to swing in a plane parallel to the axis of the casingand pro-.

vided with a thumb piece projecting through said slot, said. switch-lever being equipped withcircuit making and breaking means and said spring co-acting with said switch-lever to hold it in open or closed position,

20. A flashlight comprising a casing equipped at its front end with a removable lens and reflector, said casing beingprovided near its front end with a slot; a dry-cell disposed back of said slot; a lamp mounted n1 saidrefleetor; and a switch-unit comprising a support aflording'a spacing member between said reflector and said dry-cell, a switch-lever pivotallymounted on said support and having a thumb-piece exposed at said slot and having also means for making and breaking the circuit between the lamptern'iinal and cell-terminal, and a spring carried by said support and eo-acting with said switch-lever to hold position. v

21. A flashlight comprising a casing equipped at its front endwith aremovably secured reflector and provided back of said reflector with a slot; a lamp mounted Vin-said reflector; a dry-cell in said casing 'back'of said slot; and a switch-unit insertable through the front end of the casingand comprising a support secured to said reflector and engaging and spacing, the drycell with relation thereto, and a switch-lever pivotally mounted on said support to swing it in open or closed lie in a plane parallel with the axis of said casing and provided with a thumb-piece exposed at said slot and provided also with means for making and breaking the circuit between the lamp-terminal and cell-terminal.

522. A flashlight comprising a casing equipped at its front end with a removably secured reflector and provided back of said reflector With a slot; a lamp mounted in said reflector; a dry-cell in said casing back of said slot; and a SWitCl1-UI1it insertable through the front end of the casing and comprising a yoke-form support secured to said reflector and having spaced legs engaging and spacing the dry-cell With relation thereto, and a switch-lever pivotally mounted be;

tween the legs of saidsupport and provided with a thumb-piece exposed through said slot and provlded also with means tor making and breaking the circuit between the 20 EDMUND R. BARANY. 

